Still thinking what could it possibly be. One possibility that occured to me is heavy metal poisoning since this could lead to such delayed show of symptoms, and based on description seems arsenic could fit:
http://www.lef.org/protocols/prtcl-156a.shtml#cad2But then again how could it be contaminated by arsenic, and how could you link it conclusively to food?
Another thing which could cause lower limb paralysis (but not with such delayed onset) is a rodenticide:
"Bromethalin is a newer rodenticide first marketed in 1985.
This general-use rodenticide is available in pellets of a 0.01%
concentration. It acts as a neurotoxin causing vacuolation
and spongiosis of white matter in the central nervous system
(CNS) and consequently severe cerebral edema.3 Poisoned
animals develop ataxia, paresis, hind limb paralysis, and progressively
intensifying CNS depression. Bromethalin is an
extremely nonselective mammalian poison. Cats are one of
the most sensitive species to the toxic effects of bromethalin.
There is no known antidote or physiological antagonist other
than timely administration of emetics, control of cerebral
edema, and supportive care."
From Clinical Techniques in Small Animal Practice
Volume 21, Issue 4, November 2006, Pages 164-173
Some interesting info on secondary posioning:
http://www.animalpeoplenews.org/IMPORTANT_MATS/catPoisoning.htmlOrganophosphorus insecticides also seem suspect,
"Clinical, electrophysiological and histological findings in four patients accidentally poisoned with the organophosphorus insecticide Dipterex are reported. Three to five weeks after insecticide ingestion signs of a distal sensorimotor (preponderantly motor) neuropathy occurred. The patients complained of paraesthesia in the lower limbs, and two of them of very disagreeable pricking sensation in the soles of the feet, responsive to carbamazepine."
On delayed neurotoxicity of organophosphorus compounds:
http://books.google.com.hk/books?id=L4RnzNOeNM8C&pg=PA191&lpg=PA191&dq=delayed+onset+of+ataxia+organophosphorus&source=web&ots=u4WxYuBVeq&sig=A0MFkNlNlhFv0isxM7sOI6GWO4c&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=7&ct=result#PPA192,M1Now the question is if this is the cause, how to conclusively link it to food? Since it seems to be restricted to one area, could be arsenic in water, could be pesticides, could be anything. Or it could be indeed contaminated food
